Crime Cult Classic

L.A.'s nightshift detective is centuries old, cruising in a '59 Cadillac and hunting for his humanity.

NICK KNIGHT

It's taken two hundred years but this cop's past is about to catch up with him.

1989 · 1h 32m · NR · Crime / Drama / Horror · IMDB TMDB

Detective Nick Knight is investigating a series of murders in which the bodies are found drained of blood - but the most recent one doesn't fit the pattern. Instead it involves the cure that Nick has been searching for for decades, so that he himself can face the light of day. Later remade as the first two episodes of Forever Knight.

▶ Watch Now My List

5,471 FilmsIn The Vault

Vault UpdatedDaily

Curated ByHumans

No AlgorithmBullsh*t

Vault Note

From pop charts to the night shift—Rick Springfield's got a badge and a bite.

Programmer's Pick

Rick Springfield trades pop stardom for fangs in this moody blend of noir crime and supernatural drama, prowling L.A.'s underbelly with a '59 Cadillac and a centuries-old thirst. The film pairs atmospheric horror with pulpy cop intrigue, all while Nick Knight juggles homicide investigations and his own vampiric longings. Consider it a brooding precursor to Forever Knight—before the night shift got syndicated.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Quick Answer

What is Nick Knight about?

Nick Knight is a 1989 American crime, drama, and horror film directed by Farhad Mann about a vampire detective in Los Angeles investigating blood-drained murders while searching for a cure to his immortal affliction.

Synopsis

Rick Springfield stars a Nick Knight, a Los Angeles homicide detective with a solo nightshift, a '59 Cadillac and one very chilling secret: He is a vampire hundreds of years old, tormented by his addictions and searching for a way to regain his mortality. But when a string of gruesome murders leaves a trail of blood-drained bodies, Nick's investigation teams him with a push new partner (John Kapelos) and a beautiful archaeologist while leading him to his immortal nemesis Lacroix (Michael Nader of Dynasty) and an all-too-human killer with a boodlust of his own. Laura Johnson (Falcon Crest) co-stars in this atmospheric and action-packed movie that would emerge from a world of darkness to become the inspiration for the cult sci-fi series Forever Knight.

Details & Specs

Director: Farhad Mann
Writers: Barney Cohen, James D. Parriott
Release: 1989
Runtime: 1h 32m
Language: English
Genres: Crime, Drama, Horror

Why Cult

Vampire Police Procedural

Nick Knight puts a centuries-old vampire detective on the trail of blood-drained murder victims, mixing classic horror with gritty crime-solving.

Rick Springfield in Fangs

Pop icon Rick Springfield slips into the shadows as Detective Nick Knight, a conflicted bloodsucker with a badge and a nightshift beat.

Origin of Forever Knight

This movie served as the template for the cult TV series Forever Knight, laying the groundwork for a new era of undead detectives.

Classic Cadillac & Noir Atmosphere

Nick Knight cruises the streets in a '59 Cadillac, with the film's moody L.A. backdrop amplifying its brooding, neo-noir vibe.

Themes & Keywords

vampire immortality addiction crime torment search for cure Los Angeles night shift detective archaeologist homicide investigator nemesis '59 Cadillac

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nick Knight about? +

Nick Knight follows a vampire detective in Los Angeles as he investigates a series of blood-drained murders while searching for a cure to his immortality.

When was Nick Knight released? +

Nick Knight was released in 1989.

Who directed Nick Knight? +

Nick Knight was directed by Farhad Mann.

How long is Nick Knight? +

Nick Knight has a runtime of 92 minutes.

What genre is Nick Knight? +

Nick Knight is a crime, drama, and horror film.

Where can I watch Nick Knight? +

Nick Knight is available to stream on SassyFlix.